17 May 2010

Minnesota GOP Gov Tim Pawlenty Vetoes Gay Burial Rights Bill

Minnesota's Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill over the weekend that would
have allowed gay and lesbians the right to make after-life decisions with the
body of their deceased partner, reports The Pioneer Press.

"Pawlenty said he would
veto the bill, calling it unnecessary because partners can draw up a
living will. But advocates argue married couples do not have to do
that and legal documents often cost money to draft. The "Final Wishes" bill would have been the second one supported
by Project 515 to be passed into law. The group is named after the 515
Minnesota laws it says discriminate against same-sex couples, though the
group is not seeking marriage rights for gays and lesbians."

Pawlenty declined to seek a third term in 2010 and is often mentioned as a 2012 presidential candidate, btw.

In January, you may recall that Rhode Island
legislators easily overrode anti-gay GOP Governor Donald
Carcieri's mean-spirited
veto of a similar bill that granted funeral decision-making rights to
same-sex couples.

Comments

I am a native Minnesotan and this just makes me sick. It is political posturing at its worst and it's sad to see the "leader" of my state bow to these hateful right wing elements that he thinks will get him to the White House.

Pawlenty and his team continue to surprise me. If they've devised a strategy to gain the governor some name recognition, it has been terribly inept. Pawlenty continues to provide no basis nor rationale for his presidential aspirations (outside of him just wanting to be in the White House). Vetoing this bill was foolish. Where does he differentiate himself from the slew of potential opponents who would've done the exact same thing? How does he continue to promote himself as a different-type of Republican (he ridiculously coins himself a "Sam's Club" Republican)?